Internal wrangles blamed for ex-Chiefs target’s absence from recent PSL fixture

Nigeria international custodian Stanley Nwabali missed out as Chippa United fell 2-1 against Polokwane City in a recent Premier Soccer League outing.

The bulky 29-year-old goalkeeper – who was linked with Kaizer Chiefs last season, has been one of the key players for the Chilli Boys, explaining why there were questions when the 24-year-old Ayanda Sithole started in goal against Rise and Shine. It was the fifth time Chippa had fallen this season, having claimed a win and a draw from the seven games so far.

This has put them at the bottom of the table with just four points, with a goal difference of negative eight. 

Coach Luc Eymael has revealed why the Super Eagles star was absent last weekend, just moments before another assignment against leaders Sekhukhune United on Wednesday at the Peter Mokhaba Stadium.

I prefer not to talk about Nwabali

“Also to deal with some internal issues that are happening, you saw that one important player [Nwabali] was not there [against Polokwane City]. So, it’s a problem that we have to solve. But the goalkeeper [Sithole] did a good game, he had a good game, and I want to congratulate him for that,” he told the media.

“I want to congratulate these two goalkeepers who are working hard, and the goalkeeper coach. I’m sure we will bounce back.

“I cannot talk about that; I prefer not to talk about it to the media. First, I think we have to solve the problem internally, and it’s sad, but it’s like that sometimes, it happens in soccer. 

“But okay, it gives a chance to other guys, they have to take the chance also. And you know it’s important that everybody wants to play for Chippa United and to go in the same direction. It’s the only solution to take this team up, and I think we are capable of doing it,” Eymael concluded.